MILWAUKEE – The Mets had one injured starter scheduled to return to the lineup last night, although the other one is still a few days away.

Roberto Alomar (strained left groin) was penciled into the leadoff spot in last night’s series opener against the Brewers, although Bobby Valentine said the decision wouldn’t be final until after Alomar checked out OK during BP.

“Robbie’s going to give it his all [in batting practice],” Valentine said. “He said two days is too long. He feels like he can go, he wants to go.”

Edgardo Alfonzo (left oblique) threw in the early afternoon, but he did not risk swinging a bat. He might not see action until the St. Louis series.

As it turned out, Jeff D’Amico timed his side session perfectly. He threw in the eighth inning of Sunday’s loss that Al Leiter started, meaning he’s had the usual amount of rest for tonight’s start against his former team.

Grant Roberts (right shoulder tendinitis) threw early yesterday from flat ground. He made 20 throws from 30 feet, 20 throws from 60 feet and 20 from 75 feet. Roberts said he won’t throw off a mound until mid-month, predicting he’s about 10 days away from doing so.

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Ty Wigginton’s mother, father and wife were in Norfolk when he got called up over the weekend, so they put him on the plane to New York and then drove up. After watching a couple of games in the Big Apple, the Wiggintons drove to Milwaukee to follow their son/spouse, who was batting sixth and playing third last night.

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Former Met starter Glendon Rusch is not necessarily doing well statistically, posting a 5-11 record and a 5.30 ERA on the National League’s worst team. But he also has three complete games, leading the staff.

“It’s a really good group of guys,” Rusch said. “I haven’t performed how I would’ve liked. There’s been some good times and bad times, some ups and downs.”

The Brewers thought enough of him that they signed him for this year and next with a club option for 2004.